As a beginner, I laid emphasis on a low-cost device that the acoustic piano comes pretty close. In addition me a compact design and an attractive appearance was important. The S51 meets these requirements perfectly. I would like to briefly describe the characteristics of the device in different categories:
- Design: The digital piano is in a relatively compact carton (based on the final device size), should be transported but nevertheless of 2 persons. The assembly instructions are printed directly on the box and very simple - who has ever assembled an Ikea shelf, will not have any problem with this unit. The whole structure should succeed in 15-20 minutes. The screws are described exemplary, so that any possibility of confusion arise. First, the stand is assembled (consisting of 2 side panels, a rear portion, and the pedal bar), then the actual keyboard housing is simply placed thereon and fixed with some screws. The screw holes all have metal inserts, which therefore do not require wood screws - could theoretically solve the screws very often and neuverschrauben without anything ausnudelt. If you want to break down the piano again sometime and transport, one could quickly separate stator and keyboard housing; both portions are then each portable by a person. Of course the device is also assembled yet light enough to carry it easily with 2 people. Rating: ***** because very simple in construction, mining, and transportation.
- Housing: very compact and high-quality workmanship. The stator and housing parts are made of highly stable MDF which are covered with veneer. The look is understated, with a slight wood grain in the black version (no piano lacquer). Especially I really liked the keyboard cover. This is similar to a "real" piano and has a fold-out Note holder made of wood. All moving parts can be very soft and smooth move without anything rattles. When lowering the lid a built-case brake is activated, so that the finger can not stick to the lid and smooth without a sound to cause by itself falls on the last few centimeters. Very high quality! The three pedals are made of metal and smooth to operate. For the dimensions: Since the Arius YDP-S51 is explicitly marketed as a compact digital piano, you can happily report that the dimensions turn out almost minimal, it is practically not much excess body volume "around the keyboard" available. At the rear foot of the piano stand can install anti-tip metal angles that are not necessary, however, if one sets up the piano close to a wall. Thus, the device is again compact in depth. The stability is not significantly adversely affected by the omission of the angle. Rating: ***** because of high quality and compact
- Electronic controls: Since I intentionally wanted a piano and spare no electronic toys, was quite important to me that the device is not overloaded by buttons. This is also managed. Of course, this is an ambiguous thing: For the optics advantageous and facilitates the concentration on the essentials; if you have to make but really it out diverse settings, these are cumbersome. The control is implemented via keyboard shortcuts: You press one of the knobs that are attached to the left of the keyboard, and one of the piano keys. Which Piano button must be pressed in which setting, it can be seen in an AutoKeys Information Sheet. That makes this sheet but absolutely necessary, unless you're having a photographic memory. On the right side of the keyboard are just the on / off switch and the volume control on this is nothing to complain. A small, discreet red LED on the left front of the chassis is illuminated when the device is turned on. An auto-standby function (after 30 minutes) is available. Rating: ***, because although the overall concept of the device match (piano replacement, as few electronic gimmicks), but awkward to use.
- Features: There are different "voices" available, including 3 acoustic grand piano (a neutral-versatile, a little softer and a little light-pitched), some electronic pianos, as well as a harpsichord, pipe organ, Hammond organ, and as Gimmik a string ensemble, that can be best to turn on the Layer function to a normal piano (rather understood as a gimmick). For someone who puts mainly to acoustic piano tones value, the choice is absolutely sufficient. An electronic metronome is available. The connections are somewhat meager, although there are 2 headphones (6.3 mm jack) and a USB socket for connection to the PC, but no line outputs. The device has favorable P105 line outputs, but this is due to the overall concept (transportable, therefore also more likely to use on stage with external speakers). Rating: ***, because the basic functions are all available, but many (even cheaper devices) but not offer facilities. How important are the features one, you should decide for yourself, and then compare with the data sheets.
- Sound: In general, good to very good. It is used a modern Yamaha sampling of a grand piano (CF Sampling). The Piano signal generated is therefore beyond all doubt, and corresponds to the limits of what is to afford a digital piano on "imitation" Capable to definitely upscale. There are (including half-pedal damper) etc. simulates many dynamic levels, string resonance, damper. Mittelprächtig are the built-in speakers. It is fair to good play with it, and there is plenty of amplifier power available to provide sound and a larger space. However, missing the whole a little clarity when played over the built-in speakers. That's not surprising when you consider that a good pair of hi-fi speakers loose as much cost as the whole digital piano. Those who have a really good set of headphones and this connects to the device (in my case: Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro), will experience an epiphany. Only through the headphones, you realize what is the piano actually afford able. Makeshift you can combine the piano via the headphone output even with a stereo or AV receiver. Also I have tried: The sound improved a bit, but it can certainly cause a noise depending on the system, since the output level of the piano is not too high and it therefore the volume controls (both the piano and on the system) but must rather turn up. For a serious expansion of speaker power therefore are most likely active studio monitors recommended. Rating: **** because the tone is very good, but the built-in speaker could be better.
- Keyboard: the most important point to my mind I saved for last. The Arius YPD S51 is one of the best devices from Yamaha, which has already built the higher GH keyboard. In the version of the P105 I had the simpler GHS keyboard for comparison. You can tell that the stop at the GH keyboard is again much closer to the acoustic piano, although the GHS keyboard is not particularly bad. In some aspects, however, it shows even as a novice differences between GHS and GH: When GH keyboard are repeated, rapid strokes easier to perform than at GHS, and the deep tones are balanced (in the GHS the P105 were the deeper sounds a bit too much emphasizes). The GH keyboard is therefore an upper middle class keyboard, which is also found in many more expensive Yamaha devices and except in details not very different from the top of the keyboard Clavinova models. In general, the keyboard plays very smoothly without rattling or excessive noise would be heard by keystroke. The keyboard is made of smooth plastic, which suits me personally. Nevertheless, the keyboard and the feel is very subjective and ideally you have compared different keyboards themselves before buying. Rating: ***** as close perfectly on acoustic piano, and in the operation.
- Conclusion: The Yamaha YDP-S51B gets from me five stars (*****). The device is recommended for anyone who is looking for a high quality, compact digital piano that is generally quite close to the acoustic piano and therefore does not require too much technical bells and whistles.
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